Taylor Swift is Billboard’s Top Money Maker in ’11

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift is No. 1 again: The singer is the top act on Billboard's "Money Makers" list.

Swift earned more than $35 million in 2011, according to the Billboard list released Friday. U2 was second with $32 million. Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne rounded out the top 5.

Artists' rankings were based on U.S. income sources from tours, albums sales and publishing royalties. Billboard said in a press release that it didn't factor in "sponsorships, merchandise sales or synchronization deals."

Adele was tenth on the list. Though she canceled most of her U.S. tour due to issues with her vocal cords, her album "21" sold more than 5 million units in 2011. Including sales from this year, "21" has sold nearly 8 million copies.

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Online:

http://www.billboard.com